In this episode, we’re unpacking one of the MOST common — and most confusing — concerns after a tummy tuck: “Why am I not flat?” If you’re weeks or even months post-op and wondering why your stomach still looks rounded, bloated, or not as tight as you hoped, you’re absolutely not alone.

Munira and Lisa break down the TOP reasons you may not look or feel flat yet — from normal swelling patterns to deeper issues. This episode will help you understand what’s normal, what’s expected, and what might need more attention.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

✨ The 10 most common reasons your stomach may not look as flat as you expected after a tummy tuck — including weak muscles, bloating, swelling, visceral fat, fascia quality, and more.
✨ Why weak or deconditioned abdominal muscles (and the natural loss of tone after surgery) can contribute to a softer or more relaxed look — and what rebuilding strength actually requires.
✨ How bloating and digestive distension throughout the day can temporarily change your abdominal shape — and why stress, hormones, food choices, and gut health all play a role.
✨ Why unpredictable swelling — even many months post-op — can create a rounder appearance, and how factors like activity, salt intake, travel, and time of day influence it.
✨ The role of visceral fat, what surgery can and cannot remove, and why some roundness may remain even after a technically successful procedure.
✨ How natural variations in fascia quality, skin laxity, aging, and genetics impact your long-term results.
✨ When it might be worth checking in with your surgeon — and what questions to ask if you’re considering revision.

It’s completely normal to feel disappointed or confused when your stomach doesn’t look the way you imagined.

Resources Mentioned:

✨ Tummy Tuck Core Rehab Program — build strength, regain mobility, and support flatter abdominal appearance through structured rehab: https://www.tummytuckrehab.com/tummy-tuck-core-rehab

✨ PDF Resource Guide: Am I Ready for a Tummy Tuck? https://www.tummytuckrehab.com/am-i-ready-for-a-tummy-tuck

✨ PDF Resource Guide: Questions to Ask in Your Consultations to Find the Right Surgeon for You: https://www.tummytuckrehab.com/narrowing-down-surgeons

✨ YouTube Video: What to Ask Your Surgeon During Consults — including expectations around flatness

✨ Follow @sulinu.nutrition for gut, bloating, and digestion support during recovery

Love Tummy Tuck Talk!? Help us reach more listeners by rating and reviewing the show! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Your support means the world — and helps others like you get the guidance they need post-tummy tuck.

You can also follow the podcast so you don’t miss future episodes packed with practical tips and real talk about recovery and returning to fitness.

Check out more free tummy tuck recovery tips here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tummytuckrehab/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tummytuckrehab

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tummytuckrehab

For all of our post-op programs and resources, head on over to www.tummytuckrehab.com

Audio Track:
Track: Good Times — Ason ID [Audio Library Release]
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In this episode, we’re asking one of the most important — and often overlooked — questions before surgery: Are you really ready for a tummy tuck? Readiness isn’t just about picking a surgeon or saving up money. It’s about being mentally, physically, logistically, and emotionally prepared for what’s ahead.

We break down the four key areas of readiness to help you make an informed, confident decision about when the timing is truly right. This conversation will help you slow down, self-assess, and make choices that set you up for a smoother recovery and more satisfying results.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

✨ The difference between wanting to feel better vs. expecting perfection — and why that distinction matters.

✨ How to assess your mental readiness — identifying motivations, expectations, and potential emotional triggers.

✨ What physical readiness looks like — from general strength to core strength to overall health and recovery capacity.

✨ The logistical realities you need to plan for — support systems, childcare, work time off, and realistic healing time.

✨ How to manage the emotional side of recovery — when comparison, regret, or impatience show up.

Readiness is about more than checking boxes — it’s about setting yourself up to thrive before, during, and after surgery. With reflection, preparation, and support, you can walk into this experience feeling grounded and confident in your decision.

Resources Mentioned:

✨ Free Readiness Checklist — your complete guide to assessing mental, physical, emotional, and logistical readiness. Click here to download.

✨ Tummy Tuck Core Rehab Program — rebuild strength and mobility safely post-op: https://www.tummytuckrehab.com/tummy-tuck-core-rehab

✨ YouTube Video: What to Ask During Consultations — how to spot red flags and find the right surgeon: [Watch Here]

✨ Follow @sulinu.nutrition for nutrition strategies to support your recovery.

Thanks for listening!

— Munira & Lisa

Love Tummy Tuck Talk!? Help us reach more listeners by rating and reviewing the show! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Your support means the world — and helps others like you get the guidance they need post-tummy tuck.

You can also follow the podcast so you don’t miss future episodes packed with practical tips and real talk about recovery and returning to fitness.

Check out more free tummy tuck recovery tips here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tummytuckrehab/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tummytuckrehab

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tummytuckrehab

For all of our post-op programs and resources, head on over to www.tummytuckrehab.com

Audio Track:
Track: Good Times — Ason ID [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: • Good Times — Ason ID | Free Backgroun...
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/good-times-ason-id

In this episode, we’re diving into a common — and often misunderstood — belief: that a tummy tuck automatically makes your core stronger. It’s a tempting thought, especially when the surgery gives you a flatter midsection and a tighter abdominal wall. But does that actually equal strength?

We’re breaking down what the tummy tuck truly does for your core, what it doesn’t do, and what’s up to you post-op to restore true function, stability, and strength. This episode is essential for anyone who wants to move beyond the aesthetics and really understand how to train smart after surgery.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
✨ What the muscle repair in a tummy tuck actually does — and how it impacts your core structure, not just appearance.
✨ Why feeling more stable isn’t the same as being physically stronger — and how to tell the difference.
✨ How changes in pressure and tension post-op can give the illusion of strength — and why that matters.
✨ Why skipping core training after surgery can backfire — and how to rebuild strength the right way.
✨ A step-by-step approach to reconnecting with your core and progressing safely to real-world strength.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction: Does a Tummy Tuck Make You Stronger?
[02:00] Meet Your Hosts + Why This Topic Matters
[03:30] What the Surgery Does — and What It Doesn’t
[07:45] Why You Might Feel Weaker After Surgery (and That’s Okay)
[11:15] The Danger of Thinking Your Core is “Fixed”
[13:00] What Creates the Feeling of Stability Post-Op?
[16:00] Lisa’s Lifting Experience: Before vs. After Surgery
[20:00] Why You May Feel Stronger — Even if You’re Not (Yet)
[22:00] Structure vs. Function: What Surgery Can and Can’t Do
[24:00] Reconnecting with Your Core: The First Step
[26:00] What Strength Training After Surgery Should Actually Look Like
[28:30] Why Recovery Timelines Vary — and How to Stay Patient
[30:00] Final Takeaways: Surgery Creates Structure, You Build Strength

Resources Mentioned:
✨ Tummy Tuck Core Rehab Program — a step-by-step guide to rebuilding core function, stability, and strength: https://www.tummytuckrehab.com/tummy-tuck-core-rehab
✨ Episode 4: When Recovery Doesn’t Go As Expected and What to Do About It — for more on managing expectations and the mental side of healing: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2414621/episodes/16693068

Thanks for tuning in! If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an update.

— Munira & Lisa

Love Tummy Tuck Talk!? Help us reach more listeners by rating and reviewing the show! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Your support means the world — and helps others like you get the guidance they need post-tummy tuck.

You can also follow the podcast so you don’t miss future episodes packed with practical tips and real talk about recovery and returning to fitness.

Check out more free tummy tuck recovery tips here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tummytuckrehab/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tummytuckrehab

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tummytuckrehab

For all of our post-op programs and resources, head on over to www.tummytuckrehab.com

Audio Track:
Track: Good Times — Ason ID [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: • Good Times — Ason ID | Free Backgroun...
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/good-times-ason-id